Euronews

A trial has begun for the first of more than 100 senior Turkish army officers over their alleged role in ousting Turkey’s first Islamist-led government 16 years ago.

The events were dubbed the “post-modern coup” as the generals used pressure behind the scenes to force prime minister Necmettin Erbakan from power.

A total of 103 officers – mostly serving and retired generals including a former chief of staff – are facing charges which could result in life behind bars.

It is the latest in a series of judicial cases targeting the once untouchable Turkish military, whose influence has been tamed sharply over the past decade.

The complex trial is expected to last several years.

The case also carries personal significance for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was a member of Erbakan’s Islamist party. He made curbing the military’s political clout one of his main missions during his 10 years in power.